Chapter 46: Sneaking Out the Meat

Lin Ruoruo's mother-in-law, though not as malicious as Fang Shi from the Fu family, was still not easy to get along with. Usually, Lin Ruoruo handled all the chores and had even given birth to two chubby boys, yet she still had to be mindful of her mother-in-law's moods. Now, bringing the newly widowed Lin Ruanruan back home would undoubtedly cause a significant stir.

"I think it would be better for Miss Lin to go to the county with me. She can do business and won't starve," Bai Cheng'an said, standing beside Lin Ruanruan. His voice was sincere and steady.

He had already considered all the downsides of having this girl by his side, whether it be ridicule or affecting his future prospects of finding a wife. But weighing the options, he still felt it was inappropriate to leave her at her parents' house. She had barely returned and was already being troubled. If she were to stay, who knows what kind of hardships she would face?

Initially, Lin Ruanruan was at a loss when Lin Ruoruo's appearance disrupted her plan. But now, with Bai Cheng'an proactively offering to take her away, she had no reason to refuse.

"Eld... Eldest Sister, I... I'll go," Lin Ruanruan said, trying to control her stutter. Although she still stumbled over her words, it was an improvement.

"Ruanruan..." Lin Ruoruo looked at her, eyes full of pity and reluctance.

"It's... it's fine," Lin Ruanruan smiled at her, trying to convey her feelings.

"That's more like it. How could a divorced woman return to her village to live? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?" Yanyan's mother said, feeling triumphant.

"I ran here in such a hurry and haven't had lunch yet. Mother-in-law, quickly make me something to eat; I'm really hungry," she continued, half-reclining in a chair and bossing Lin's mother around just like Yanyan.

"Yes, I'm hungry too. I bet that meat is all gone now. Who knows if the selfish eater might get dysentery," Yanyan said, patting her belly and whining.

Thinking about that big piece of fatty meat she didn't get to eat, Yanyan felt upset.

"Yanyan..." Lin Qiu glanced at his wife, feeling a bit aggrieved. He had eaten quite a bit of that meat himself, and now Yanyan's words sounded like a curse.

"We all ate that meat. If you want more, we can buy some tomorrow. Though we aren't wealthy, we can afford a few pieces of meat without needing to be selfish," Lin's father said, looking at his daughter-in-law with a stiff expression.

Lin Ruanruan pursed her lips, having figured out Yanyan's little scheme. This woman was undoubtedly faking her pregnancy. If she were really pregnant and had a threatened miscarriage, she wouldn't be thinking about eating greasy fatty meat while claiming to feel dizzy. She hadn't rushed to see a doctor, clearly afraid of exposing her lie.

Nudging Lin Ruoruo, the sisters exchanged knowing glances.

"It was my oversight. I got so caught up talking that I forgot you all hadn't eaten," Lin's mother said, oblivious to her daughters' sharpness. She only heard her daughter-in-law and in-law complaining of hunger and felt no wrong in serving them.

She hurried to make a meal but was stopped by Lin Ruanruan.

"Ruanruan, don't worry about it. It's getting late, and Yanyan has a baby in her belly; she can't go hungry," Lin's mother said, shaking off her daughter's hand and heading to the kitchen.

Lin Ruanruan looked at Lin Ruoruo again, both sisters sharing a look of helplessness.

"Weren't you leaving? Why are you still here? This is no longer your home; you'd better come back less often," Yanyan said smugly, raising her eyebrows at Lin Ruanruan, looking prouder than a victorious rooster.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Ruanruan stepped forward.

"What do you want? Are you, a stutterer, planning to hit me?" Yanyan shrieked, hiding behind Lin Qiu in fear, obviously still hurting from the earlier beating.

"Brother," Lin Qiu shielded Yanyan with one hand, looking vigilant.

Lin Ruanruan rolled her eyes, too lazy to bother with her foolish younger brother. He was good-looking and hardworking, but his judgment was lacking. Keeping such a woman around would likely lead to trouble. Oh well, everyone faces setbacks in life.

After Lin Qiu had his fill of trouble with Yanyan, he would understand what kind of person she really was.

"Let's go," Bai Cheng'an's gaze remained fixed on Lin Ruanruan.

Having been treated this way upon returning to her parents' home, this girl must be feeling quite upset now.

Lin Ruanruan turned back and softly acknowledged.

They had brought luggage with them, so naturally they needed to take their things when leaving. Passing by the dining table, she deliberately stepped on the woman who had no proper manners.

Yanyan's mother yelled out, sounding like she thought the Lin family was slaughtering a pig again.

"Ruanruan," Lin's father showed reluctance, but under pressure from Yanyan and her mother, he couldn't insist on keeping his daughter.

Lin Ruanruan smiled at him and turned to walk towards Bai Cheng'an.

"Let's go, Dad, accompany me." Lin's father's tone was resigned as he followed behind Lin Ruanruan.

Lin Ruoruo also held her sister's hand and gave Lin Qiu a stern look.

Lin Qiu took a step forward, intending to see off his elder sister.

"I'm feeling dizzy, Lin Qiu. Help me back to the room for a rest." Yanyan grabbed her husband's hand, leaning against him coquettishly, her voice sweet and coy.

Glancing back at her incompetent brother, Lin Ruanruan shook her head in disappointment.

Perhaps her disappointed look stung Lin Qiu because he coldly pushed Yanyan aside.

"You seem quite strong. If you're tired, let Mother accompany you back to the room. Elder Sister won't be back for who knows how long, and I need to see her off."

With that, he ignored Yanyan's anger and rushed out of the house.

Left behind, Yanyan looked at her mother with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Alright, since the stutterer isn't staying, just see her off," her mother said impatiently, rolling her eyes and swallowing her saliva as she looked at the greasy bowls on the table.

"That stutterer is quite generous. She remembered to buy meat when she came back."

Once meat was mentioned, Yanyan's craving intensified. She suddenly regretted causing such a scene earlier, preventing herself from eating any meat.

Meanwhile, as Lin Ruanruan bid farewell to the Lin family's father and son, she quietly reached into her bundle and touched the bowl of braised pork hidden inside.

Thanks to her agile hands and feet, she managed to sneak it out while Yanyan's mother wailed. She had figured out that as long as Yanyan was around, Lin's mother wouldn't get to eat a single bite of that meat. Moreover, with her unreasonable mother also present, that bowl of braised pork probably wouldn't be enough to pick their teeth, let alone be left for Lin's mother.

On the other side, Lin Ruoruo tightened her grip on her sister's hand.

"Ruanruan, Big Sister won't see you off. If things aren't going well outside, come back home. Despite our hardships, there's always something to eat."

Lin Ruanruan nodded, untied her bundle, and took out the bowl of meat.

The weather was cold, and the oil in the bowl had begun to solidify. But with her careful handling all the way, the meat inside remained intact.

"This is..." Lin Ruoruo was stunned when she suddenly presented the bowl of meat, completely taken aback.

Smiling, Lin Ruanruan handed the meat to Lin Ruoruo. "Sister, take... take it back and eat."